A Tip For Newbie Horse Owners

Take this for what it's worth...after all, this is FREE horse info so if in doubt about my tip, just don't do it, however...

I just got in from riding my mare. That's where I do most of my horse thinking. I think horses all day anyway but when I'm riding, that's when the heavens open up and drop gems of wisdom down on me and I think, "Hmmm, maybe I should blog about that.". So, here goes a real gem...

Before I saddle up, I always brush my dumpling angel all over. Well, most of the time I do. There are days that I brush only where the saddle and cinch sit and away we go but that's really not a good idea overall. (I can just hear the 'boos' going on out there!) But you SHOULD brush your muffincake horse all over to check for cuts or those damn stickery little porcupine looking things that inhabit the deepest recesses of the mane or tail, or best of all, in the forelock. But what's the best way for walking around your horse to check this stuff without getting your head kicked off or the very least, a broken leg/arm from a startled horse. You know, there is that moment when your heart sort of stops in your chest when you think for a millisecond that you're going to get cracked a good one...

The first thing to remember is ANY horse will kick given the right set of circumstances. Never, ever believe anyone who says their horse would never kick. Ain't so. Just the right time hasn't hit yet, might never but you should don't want to be in the way if and when the stars align.

So, when walking behind a horse, always let your horse know where you are. On just about every horse I've ever had (except the totally wild ones off of a New Mexico pasture, but more about them sometime later), I walk with my closest shoulder barely touching the horse. At the very least, I put my hand up on his hip bone and walk around, sliding my hand with me as I go on to the other hip bone. Usually, I say something in a low voice to let him know I'm coming, it's sort of a back-up to the touching.

Even if I'm walking in someone's barn and a horse is tied in the aisle-way, I still put my hand up and use as described above. I stay close in to the horse. He can sure still kick you but, the theory is, he won't have all his power going just yet. Now, that's the prevailing theory. I've been kicked (or kicked at) but in just about ever case I can think of, the horse has been farther away from me and not when I've been 'right there'.

The upshot is the you want to let the horse know where you are at all times. Don't surprise him by popping up out of nowhere.

Hope this has been helpful!!